4 in 10 South Korean Workers Cannot Adjust Schedules for Heavy Rain or Heatwaves

A significant portion of South Korea's workforce faces challenges commuting and working during natural disasters, with nearly four in 10 employees unable to adjust their schedules or work remotely. The survey by the civic group Workplace Gabjil 119, conducted by Global Research on 1,000 adults, revealed that 43.8% of respondents reported no guaranteed flexibility during events like heavy rain or heatwaves.

This lack of accommodation disproportionately affects vulnerable worker groups. Non-regular employees were more likely to report no flexibility at 49.8%, compared to regular workers at 39.8%. The situation is even more pronounced for daily laborers (58.5%), dispatched or subcontracted workers (58.3%), and freelancers or specially employed individuals (55.3%), all exceeding 50%.

Women (53.4%) and non-office workers (50.6%) also reported more than half of their cohorts lacking flexible work arrangements. Furthermore, 38.4% of workers have experienced or witnessed colleagues facing disadvantages, such as disciplinary action or negative consequences, for being late due to natural disasters, despite government recommendations for remote work or schedule adjustments.

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I endured it for years, taking medication, while the hospital told me to work while moving between air-conditioned spaces.

Compounding these issues, some workers endure harsh conditions. One hospital radiologist reported working in a room exceeding 30 degrees Celsius for years, enduring the heat with medication while the hospital only allowed movement between air-conditioned areas. Other cases involved working in offices with broken air conditioning for three years or in windowless logistics centers.

Existing legal frameworks offer limited protection. While the National Civil Service Regulations allow for special leave during natural disasters, the Labor Standards Act lacks specific provisions for lateness or absence under such circumstances. The right to stop work under the Occupational Safety and Health Act is also unclear regarding the definition of 'imminent danger' and does not apply to platform or specially employed workers.

In response, 65.4% of surveyed workers believe they should have the right to independently assess disaster risks and choose their work arrangements or refuse work. Labor attorney Nam Da-hyun emphasizes the need to legally define standards for disaster-related absences and enhance the effectiveness of the right to stop work.

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We need to legally specify the criteria for lateness, absence, and paid leave during natural disasters and increase the effectiveness of the right to stop work.